Mon 27 Apr 2009
The Phantom Cat Menace
Posted by RichSlick under Rants
[5] Comments
With the economic meltdown continuing unabated, it seems pets are being released into the wild and are causing havoc in neighborhoods. I’ve lived in the same home for over a decade and I’ve never seen so many stray animals come into my backyard after I finish grilling on my grill.
For the past few weeks I’ve been hearing animals in my backyard and on occasion animals fighting in my backyard late at night. I couldn’t figure out what it was until the animals started showing up right after I grill.
I’ve tried to figure out why the animals started showing up and after I saw a few emaciated cats it all started to make sense. I’m assuming that home/pet owners either moved away and let their pets go into the wild or they simply let the pets go because they couldn’t afford the care/food any more.
Unfortunately, the cats are becoming pests and menace and I’m running out of options on getting rid of them. Drastic action may be necessary soon.
April 27th, 2009 at 8:52 am
That is a shame. I’ve always said 50% of people that get cats and dogs shouldn’t. It’s a commitment like having a child, you have to stick with them. Sad.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:29 am
I have had to solve a problem with stray cats before. Go to the local feed store and buy a trap that is the right size for a cat. Bait it with canned tuna. In my area the local animal control will take as many cats as you can bring them each day, so long as you haven’t been feeding them. They keep them for 7 days and if not adopted, then they are put down. When I was off work I was bringing in multiple per day and got the population way down to where it wasn’t a problem. I think in total I have surrendered around 40 cats, but the problem is pretty much gone now.
April 27th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Also some local animal control places will let you rent a cage from them to catch them in. If the stray cats start eating out of my garden this year, that is the route I’m planning on going.
April 27th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
My cat problem has gone from 2 wondering cats to 4 cats and I’m not sure why they picked my backyard because I’m certainly not feeding them!
I’m calling animal control tomorrow to see what they suggest….I do have an old rat cage trap but I think too small for the cats.
April 27th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
You might also want to check for local groups / charities that rescue abandoned / feral cats instead of just calling animal control and sending them off to a almost certain death.